Nine Civil Society Organisations have noted with concern the rising cost of living in Zambia, stating that this has been on account of several factors including the rise in commodity prices such as mealie meal and retail fuel pump prices.
The cost of living as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections’ (JCTR’s) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) has been on the rise reaching a mid-year average point of K9, 126.40 in Lusaka, while the national average basket stands at K6 466.04 for a family of five.
Inflation for June 2023 stands at 10.3%; the Kwacha has continued to depreciate against major global currencies averaging K19.05 per US Dollar in the first half of the year; mealie meal, has increased to a record level of K300 per 25kg bag in some parts of the country and the retail pump prices of petroleum products have been increased with Petrol and low Sulphur Diesel selling at K25.57 and K23.36 per litre respectively.
In a joint statement, Chapter One Foundation Executive Director Linda Kasonde and Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo note that he soaring cost of living is already causing great hardship to many Zambians, and the situation may be worsened by the removal of vendors from the streets without alternatives as it leaves a handful of them without trading places and ultimately with no incomes to support their livelihoods.
They note that the high cost of living in countries such as Kenya and Nigeria have led to civil unrest, adding that economic hardship provides fertile ground for populist and authoritarian expressions to take root in the country.
They have since urged government to meaningfully and effectively communicate with the Zambian people on the state of the economy and outline measures they are undertaking to address emerging challenges from the social and economic reforms currently being undertaken.
